Hi all and thankyou for allowing me to join the group. My name is Deb and I have just been diagnosed with hypothyroidism after suffering for 3 years. I still don't totally understand it and wanted to know if my symptoms of exhaustion fogginess to name just a few and especially weight gain will get better and how long no average does it take to get you onto the right dosage of tablet. I have been started on Levothyroxine 50mg and have been on them for just 8 days.

I don't know whether it was psychological or not but for the first 5 days I felt a bit better, not so tired and even being able to go to the toilet every day instead of every 2 weeks not nice to talk about but true.

I also have spinal problems for what I am on Mst slow release morphine so constipation and a lot of other things have always been put down to that as well as the Menopause.

Just any help in general really would be useful and to feel like I am not alone and no I am not losing the plot. 😊

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We are happy for you to join our forum. Anyone can join if they have a dysfunction with the thyroid gland and it is a source of information for many people. Me included as I wouldn't be better without info from Thyroiduk.org.uk before this HU forum was started.

Also everyone's experiences are very helpful to others who are going through the mystery of the thyroid gland and its functions.

Always get a print-out of your blood test results from now on, with the ranges. The ranges are necessary as labs differ in the machines so the ranges differ to.

You will get a blood test every six weeks, approx, with a rise (25mcg) of levo and so on until you feel much better. Doctors/Endos believe once our TSH is 'in range' we are on sufficient medication. This isn't true. Most of us need a TSH of around 1or lower, or suppressed (I think most are unware of this fact). We have to read and learn if we want to get better.

When you go for your next blood test (even make the appointment now) for the earliest possible. Fast and leave approx 24 hours from your last dose of levo and the blood test. Otherwise it can skew the results and may result in an unnecessary adjustment of levo. (I set a reminder on my phone so I don't take meds). This time, if you've not had your Vitamin B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate checked ask for these to be done as we are usually deficient and therefore can cause symptoms too.

You may have felt better initially with your dose of levo but it will take about 6 weeks to be absorbed into your tissues.

You will find a gradual easing off of your symptoms until you are on an optimum dose of levothyroxine (also known as T4). T4 is the synthetic hormone which has to convert to enough T3 (also known as liothyronine) which is the active hormone all our cells need for us to function normally.

A higher cholesterol or weight gain may also be reduced when you reach an optimum dose. Our metabolism will be raised as 'hypo' as you probably know means slow and everything has slowed down. Heart rate, bowels etc. so you should benefit.

You're not losing the plot and you certainly aren't alone Hypothyroidism affects millions and impacts physically and mentally but symptoms will improve now you've started Levothyroxine.

It usually takes 7-8 days for thyroxine to be absorbed and start working and it can take up to 6 weeks to feel the full impact of a dose. Constipation is often a hypothyroid symptom so it looks as though it is working quickly for you.

For maximum absorption Levothyroxine should be taken with a glass of water on an empty stomach, one hour before, or two hours after, food and drink, 2 hours away from other medication and supplements and, 4 hours away from iron, calcium, vitamin D and oestrogen.